Description: This week we are to reflect on our developing philosophy of Instructional Technologies and how this will impact our classrooms and our understanding of 21st Century Teaching and Learning.
Impact: When I read the scenario at the beginning of “The Digital Curriculum” the first thing I realized is that not once during the day did the student, Jane, open a book. All work was completed on computers. How wonderful this would be to have that many computers in the available to students. As I read, I imagined what would I do if I had this at my disposal? Currently, we are studying volume and surface area of a three dimensional figure. I thought that I could have the students create three dimensional images in Google Sketch Up, put the needed dimensions, then send the image to me and fellow classmates to solve. In one of my advanced Algebra classes, we are studying the Pythagorean Theorem. I could have my students quickly research Pythagoras and report why his theory was so controversial at the time.
Education is changing. Although the scenario in “The Digital Curriculum” describes a small amount of schools, the focus of education is to ready our students for the digital age. Unfortunately, many schools are unequipped for this duty. They do not have the resources available to them to accomplish this task. In schools that are equipped, there are teachers who will not embrace technology and will not expose their students to the values that technology has to offer.
Intent: I am a techno-geek. I will always try new technology. I want to introduce my students to as many new gadgets as possible. This week, I leave to present at the Texas Instruments International Conference. While I am there, it is my intention to attend as many sessions as possible to learn new ways to use the Navigator in my classroom. There are numerous ideas shared at these conferences. I want to come away with new ways to excite students. I have also purchased the new Texas Instruments Inspire calculator. I am looking forward to learning the many applications as possible. We do not have a classroom set of calculators at this point. However, I will explore avenues of funding a set for my class.
Impact: When I read the scenario at the beginning of “The Digital Curriculum” the first thing I realized is that not once during the day did the student, Jane, open a book. All work was completed on computers. How wonderful this would be to have that many computers in the available to students. As I read, I imagined what would I do if I had this at my disposal? Currently, we are studying volume and surface area of a three dimensional figure. I thought that I could have the students create three dimensional images in Google Sketch Up, put the needed dimensions, then send the image to me and fellow classmates to solve. In one of my advanced Algebra classes, we are studying the Pythagorean Theorem. I could have my students quickly research Pythagoras and report why his theory was so controversial at the time.
Education is changing. Although the scenario in “The Digital Curriculum” describes a small amount of schools, the focus of education is to ready our students for the digital age. Unfortunately, many schools are unequipped for this duty. They do not have the resources available to them to accomplish this task. In schools that are equipped, there are teachers who will not embrace technology and will not expose their students to the values that technology has to offer.
Intent: I am a techno-geek. I will always try new technology. I want to introduce my students to as many new gadgets as possible. This week, I leave to present at the Texas Instruments International Conference. While I am there, it is my intention to attend as many sessions as possible to learn new ways to use the Navigator in my classroom. There are numerous ideas shared at these conferences. I want to come away with new ways to excite students. I have also purchased the new Texas Instruments Inspire calculator. I am looking forward to learning the many applications as possible. We do not have a classroom set of calculators at this point. However, I will explore avenues of funding a set for my class.